Think Tank Europa (TTE) has published a review of the use of Article 122 of the EU Treaty to implement policies on an emergency basis, sidestepping the unanimity required for major decisions taken by the bloc.
The unassuming text of the article states that the European Council “may decide, in a spirit of solidarity … upon the measures appropriate to the economic situation.” These decisions require only qualified majority votes (15 out of 27 in favor) rather than the unanimity required for major decisions, such as on taxes or foreign policy.
